University of La Verne Newshttp://laverne.edu/news
News and Information from University of La VerneThu, 19 Mar 2015 19:00:41 +0000en-UShourly1Compensation Task Force Open Forum Set for March 20http://laverne.edu/news/2015/03/compensation-task-force-open-forum-set-for-march-20/
http://laverne.edu/news/2015/03/compensation-task-force-open-forum-set-for-march-20/#commentsThu, 19 Mar 2015 18:55:25 +0000http://laverne.edu/news/?p=11108Read More]]>The Compensation Task Force invites all staff to attend an important information session and open forum to discuss the proposed new compensation proposal that will be submitted to the Board of Trustees in May 2015. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the Compensation Task Force’s proposal; ask questions and share your thoughts regarding these important issues that affect us all. While this meeting focuses on staff compensation, faculty are also invited if they wish to attend.

When: Friday, March 20, 2015 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm

Where: La Fetra Hall

Attend the information session and open forum either in person, or live via WebEx, by accessing the information within the calendar request attached.

Agenda:

Overview and update focusing on the of the specific components of a proposed new compensation program.

Dr. Brad R. Braxton is the Founding Senior Pastor of The Open Church, a radically inclusive congregation in Baltimore, Maryland committed to social justice activism and interfaith collaboration. He holds a Ph.D. in New Testament studies from Emory University, where he was a George W. Woodruff Fellow, a Master’s degree in theology from the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and a B.A. degree in religious studies from the University of Virginia, where he was a Jefferson Scholar.

He formerly was Program Officer for Religion in the Public Sphere at the Ford Foundation in New York City. Other previous positions include professorships at Southern Methodist University, McCormick Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt University, and Wake Forest University and pastorates at the Riverside Church in New York City and Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

His wife, Lazetta, is a Certified Financial PlannerTM and CEO of her own financial planning firm, Financial Fountains. They are the proud parents of a daughter, Karis, an energetic, inquisitive elementary school student who loves to dance and draw.

Join us for our next Sundays at the Morgan concert on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 4 p.m. for a magnificent choral performance of the Heinrich Schuetz choral piece Musikalisches Exequien (SWV 279-281), under the direction of Stephen Gothold. The piece was written for the funeral services of Count Henry II in 1635, and introduced ground-breaking new techniques into the German choral music of the 17th century. This has been one of the most recorded works of German choral music from that period.

The concert will be held in the Ann & Steve Morgan Auditorium at 4 p.m. and features a full choir accompanied by organ, cello and basso continuo.

]]>http://laverne.edu/news/2015/02/are-human-rights-for-everyone-frederick-douglass-human-rights-lecture-featuring-ann-wright/feed/0Righteous Heroes of the Holocausthttp://laverne.edu/news/2015/01/righteous-heroes-of-the-holocaust/
http://laverne.edu/news/2015/01/righteous-heroes-of-the-holocaust/#commentsThu, 22 Jan 2015 23:07:47 +0000http://laverne.edu/news/?p=11084
]]>http://laverne.edu/news/2015/01/righteous-heroes-of-the-holocaust/feed/0University of La Verne Unites with City as Host Town for 2015 Special Olympics World Gameshttp://laverne.edu/news/2014/12/university-of-la-verne-unites-with-city-as-host-town-for-2015-special-olympics-world-games/
http://laverne.edu/news/2014/12/university-of-la-verne-unites-with-city-as-host-town-for-2015-special-olympics-world-games/#commentsFri, 05 Dec 2014 22:57:38 +0000http://laverne.edu/news/?p=11079
]]>http://laverne.edu/news/2014/12/university-of-la-verne-unites-with-city-as-host-town-for-2015-special-olympics-world-games/feed/0University of La Verne First Private School In State to Partner With National Immigrant Scholarship Organizationhttp://laverne.edu/news/2014/10/university-of-la-verne-first-private-school-in-state-to-partner-with-national-immigrant-scholarship-organization/
http://laverne.edu/news/2014/10/university-of-la-verne-first-private-school-in-state-to-partner-with-national-immigrant-scholarship-organization/#commentsThu, 16 Oct 2014 22:52:37 +0000http://laverne.edu/news/?p=11065Read More]]>The University of La Verne became the first private institution in California to partner with TheDream.US recently, paving the way for undocumented students to receive as much as $25,000 in financial aid for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

As many as 10 traditional undergraduate students accepted to the University could be selected for the program. The selection process runs through October 26.

“We are really proud to have the University of La Verne as one of our partner schools,” said Gaby Pacheco, TheDream.US program director.

TheDream.US formed less than a year ago with the goal of serving students on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protective Status (TPS), who are not eligible for federal financial aid. Both statuses are temporary, but renewable, allowing immigrants to stay in the states and gain employment.

“We are enthusiastic to be a part of this national movement, and proud to be the catalyst of opportunity for students willing to pursue their academic dreams and give back to their communities, regardless of their citizenship status,” said University President Devorah Lieberman. “The University of La Verne’s core value of community within a context of diversity parallels the values held by TheDream.US, and it is inspiring to be in the company of such visionaries.”

La Verne, designated a Hispanic Serving Institution with more than 50 percent of its students being the first in their families to go to college, was selected because of its commitment to diversity. TheDream.US partners are in communities with a high density of immigrant students.

La Verne became the 18th college to partner with TheDream.US Long Beach City College and California State University at Long Beach are the only other two California institutions currently tied to the organization.

]]>http://laverne.edu/news/2014/10/university-of-la-verne-first-private-school-in-state-to-partner-with-national-immigrant-scholarship-organization/feed/0University of La Verne Takes Top Ranking Among Hispanic-Friendly Institutionshttp://laverne.edu/news/2014/10/university-of-la-verne-takes-top-ranking-among-hispanic-friendly-institutions/
http://laverne.edu/news/2014/10/university-of-la-verne-takes-top-ranking-among-hispanic-friendly-institutions/#commentsThu, 16 Oct 2014 22:35:55 +0000http://laverne.edu/news/?p=11063Read More]]>The college ranking site BestColleges.com placed the University of La Verne at No. 7 among the “Top 50 Colleges for Hispanic Students.”

Universities that made the list are considered Hispanic-Serving Institutions by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, have a high number of Hispanic students currently enrolled, feature a cultural center, and degree programs or scholarships dedicated to helping Hispanic students.

“The University’s Hispanic student population mirrors that of the surrounding region, and enhances the learning experience for all our students by exposing them to cultures different than their own. This is a significant recognition of our efforts to embrace and promote the heritage and culture of our Latino students,” said University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman.

La Verne ranked highly because it has a Hispanic student population of more than 40 percent, it has a Latino Student Forum and because the institution offers a graduation ceremony geared toward Latinos, in addition to a school-wide ceremony, among other criteria.

BestColleges.com includes information on nearly 7,600 colleges, based on student and faculty surveys and other research. It includes a database that helps students and their families choose a college or university. Other recent rankings posted on the site focus on colleges with active Jewish communities, historically black colleges and best colleges for older students.

Ranking Hispanic-friendly schools is important, site officials say, because Hispanic enrollment in colleges and universities has increased 240 percent since 1996.

“Many Hispanic students are the first in their families to attend college, so it is important for them to find a support system that will help them navigate degrees, financial aid and their school and social obligations,” BestColleges.com wrote on its site.

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]]>http://laverne.edu/news/2014/10/university-of-la-verne-takes-top-ranking-among-hispanic-friendly-institutions/feed/0University of La Verne Chief Financial Officer named CFO of the Yearhttp://laverne.edu/news/2014/09/university-of-la-verne-chief-financial-officer-named-cfo-of-the-year/
http://laverne.edu/news/2014/09/university-of-la-verne-chief-financial-officer-named-cfo-of-the-year/#commentsThu, 25 Sep 2014 23:01:40 +0000http://laverne.edu/news/?p=11054Read More]]>The Los Angeles Business Journal named University of La Verne Chief Financial Officer Avedis “Avo” Kechichian “CFO of the Year” during a ceremony in Los Angeles on September 25.

Kechichian was among 42 finalists representing a wide variety of private and public companies, as well as government and nonprofit organizations.

“As a man who traveled halfway around the world to arrive at a University that complements his personal values, Mr. Kechichian, in turn, dedicates his life to the success of the institution,” University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman said.

The annual event honors finance professionals in the Los Angeles region for their ongoing efforts as outstanding financial stewards, according to the Business Journal.

Kechichian’s rise to success is a story that has been chronicled in newspapers and magazines at the University over the years.

As a child, he and his family survived the Lebanese Civil War, one of numerous conflicts that shaped his family’s history.

The struggles never derailed Kechichian’s determination to attend college. He came to the U.S. with only a few articles of clothing and $300 in his pocket to attend the American Armenian International College. He began working odd jobs to help pay his tuition. One of his jobs was vacuuming and picking up trash at the University of La Verne.

He graduated with a degree in business administration from both AAIC and La Verne, taking on an accounting position at AAIC. He began working for La Verne about a year later as payroll manager.

Kechichian worked his way up through various financial positions, becoming Associate Vice President and Treasurer in 2007, Vice President of Finance five years later, and eventually CFO.

“Mr. Kechichian is a valued and instrumental part of the University of La Verne administration,” Lieberman said.

Kechichian thanked his family, the University and the Business Journal during his acceptance speech.

“As a first generation international student who arrived at the University of La Verne in the fall of 1977, I could have never imagined to be in the position I am today, living my American Dream,” Kechichian said.